Letter from Andrew Koven
Dear Friends,
The Saint John Jewish Historical Museum was established in 1986 by my mother, Marcia Koven, who had the vision to gather, record, catalogue and protect not only the personal stories of hundreds of immigrant families that settled and passed through Saint John, but also to provide context for their journeys. The Museum now houses a trove of objects and personal belongings, often carried across the world, that have been lovingly donated by families of these early immigrants. Under the tutelage of our Executive Director and Curator, Katherine Biggs-Craft, the Museum has expanded and flourished and now has become a “must visit” attraction for tourists and locals.
I chose to join the Board of Directors of the Museum in 2022, the year my mother passed away, to represent and carry on her deep love of our community. Those of us who grew up in Saint John (for me it was in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s) have a strong affiliation to our memories of the Jewish community. As we grow older, many far from our original home, we now realize how extraordinary and unique our experiences were growing up in Saint John. It is to the next generations, our children, and their children, where the tie becomes more tenuous, less real, a mystery of sorts. We hope to engage those of you, whose affiliation may feel distant, to keep alive the Museum’s original intent as well as to expand the definition of what the Museum can be.
While the Museum is blessed with a robust membership, we can do better and are hoping to connect with those not currently Museum members who have links to the Saint John Jewish community. I reach out to you as I know somewhere in your memory there are the stories of family or friends who have passed through here, that you have your own recollections that need, at times, to be rekindled. Perhaps it is a child or a grandchild who makes it more necessary to reconnect to a not-so-distant past, or a yearning for connection to a place that nurtured so many of us. Whatever the reason, we want to welcome you back.
The Museum has a bi-annual newsletter that recalls the past and present goings on in the community, mounts one major exhibition a year alongside permanent exhibits on the Jewish way of life and community history, and a library and archives. During the summer and fall we welcome thousands of visitors from all over the world.
We would love to add you and your extended family members and friends to our membership. Be a part of the future of the Museum and join us at this time as we hope to digitize our archives, modernize our IT and to reach more students with educational initiatives. We want to reach those who may or may not have an opportunity to visit Saint John again. We will continue to collect memories and stories not only of our past but of those families and individuals who continue to move to Saint John from all parts of the world.
If you wish to become a member of the Saint John Jewish Historical Museum, you may do so by completing the attached form and making a payment in accordance with the instructions.
If you already have a membership and have children, relatives or friends who do not, please forward this and encourage them to join the Museum.
Feel free to direct any inquiries to me, our Executive Director and Curator, Katherine Biggs-Craft or our President, Lorie Cohen- Hackett. I sincerely hope you will spread the word and that you will join us in our efforts to continue to be meaningful and grow.
Thank you for your support.
Very truly yours,